The controversial illustration showed the runner-up jumping on a racquet lying next to a baby’s dummy.

For its Wednesday edition, the Herald Sun filled its front page with cartoons, including the contentious Williams image, along with likenesses of US president Donald Trump, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Australian prime minister Scott Morrison.

Under the headline “welcome to PC world”, the paper said: “If the self-appointed censors of Mark Knight get their way on his Serena Williams cartoon, our new politically correct life will be very dull indeed.”

She also criticised the depiction of Osaka as a “faceless prop” in the background of the image.

The cartoon was also criticised by the veteran civil rights campaigner Reverend Jesse Jackson, who said it was “despicable”, and Melbourne-born basketball star Ben Simmons.

The 2018 NBA rookie of the year tweeted: “To disrespect Serena Williams, a 23 time Grand Slam Champion, in this light is truly disappointing. As an Australian, I am truly disappointed #morethananathlete”

To disrespect Serena Williams, a 23 time Grand Slam Champion, in this light is truly disappointing. As an Australian, I am truly disappointed #morethananathlete